Here is yet another Point of profitable consideration from the present occasion. When any worthy man in a State, especially who takes a faithful discharge of his place, and the public good to heart, is cut off by the hand of GOD; it is in a Christian jealousy, and out of spiritual wisdom to be holden as a presage of some more fearful ⟨p. 157⟩general judgement to succeed. I have my ground, Isa. 3. 1, 2, 3, &c. And therefore my counsel is, and in the present case for one: when any good Patriot which in some high place like a strong Pillar opposes the corruptions and Popery of the times: or any faithful Pastor, which by his prayers (like a Moses) stands in the gap against the indignation of GOD, is taken away; that we take it to heart, as a Memento, to make our selves ready against an evil day. And to tell you my mind, I am much afraid some heavy thing is preparing for us, our sins are grown unto such a height. I am no Prophet, nor the son of a Prophet; yet out of a comparative contemplation of GODS proceeding with His own people in all former ages, I cannot but concur with the judgement of a great Doctor delivered in an high place: The1 sins of this Land are come to that elevation, that there is scarce left any room for the mercy of GOD to help us. They are even full ripe for His revenging Hand. To his four reasons I add two more: his are taken, 1. From the greatness and crying of the sins, which are very horrible; Atheism, whoredom, Sodomy, blood-shed, oppression, says he; I add pride, drunkenness, usury, &c. 2. From the generality of them. All sorts are wrapped in them. 3. From their impudency: with brazen brows, and whorish foreheads they out-face the Sun. 4. From their impatience of admonition and reformation: they grow so upon us, that all the Pulpits in ENGLAND cannot beat them down. Add a 5t. from 2 Chron. ⟨p. 158⟩36. 16. And a 6t. from Isa. 3. 1, 2, 3. & seq. I mean the dropping away of many worthy men; and few take it to heart, or consider that they are taken away from the evil to come. We have lost many a godly man within this few years. The Princes Court was not many years since disrobed and bereft of one of the noblest men that ever trod upon English mould, besides other noble ornaments, his eminency of grace made him so. For, Christian Nobility is best and truest, where GOD Himself is top of the kin, and Religion the root;
Here is yet another Point of profitable consideration from the present occasion. When any worthy man in a State, especially who takes a faithfull discharge of his place, and the publike good to heart, is cut off by the hand of GOD; it is in a Christian jealousie, and out of spirituall wisdome to be holden as a presage of some more fearefull ⟨p. 157⟩generall judgement to succeed. I have my ground, Isa. 3. 1, 2, 3, &c. And therefore my counsell is, and in the present case for one: when any good Patriote which in some high place like a strong Pillar opposes the corruptions and Popery of the times: or any faithfull Pastor, which by his prayers (like a Moses) stands in the gap against the indignation of GOD, is taken away; that we take it to heart, as a M•mento, to make our selves ready against an evill day. And to tell you my mind, I am much afraid some heavy thing is preparing for us, our sinnes are growne unto such a height. I am no Prophet, nor the sonne of a Prophet; yet out of a comparative contemplation of GODS proceeding with His owne people in all former ages, I cannot but concurre with the judgement of a great Doctor delivered in an high place: The1 sinnes of this Land are come to that elevation, that there is scarce left any roome for the mercy of GOD to helpe us. They are even full ripe for His revenging Hand. To his foure reasons I add two more: his are taken, 1. From the greatnesse and crying of the sinnes, which are very horrible; Atheisme, whoredome, Sodomy, bloud-shed, oppression, sayes he; I add pride, drunkennesse, usury, &c. 2. From the generality of them. All sorts are wrapt in them. 3. From their impudency: with brazen browes, and whorish foreheads they out-face the Sun. 4. From their impatiency of admonition and reformation: they grow so upon us, that all the Pulpits in ENGLAND cannot beat them downe. Adda 5t. from 2 Chron. ⟨p. 158⟩36. 16. And a 6t. from Isa. 3. 1, 2, 3. & seq. I meane the dropping away of many worthy men; and few take it to heart, or consider that they are taken away from the evill to come. We have lost many a godly man within this few yeares. The Princes Court was not many yeares since disrob'd and bereft of one of the noblest men that ever trod upon English mould, besides other noble ornaments, his eminency of grace made him so. For, Christian Nobility is best and truest, where GOD Himselfe is top of the kin, and Religion the root;
- 1White, pag. 80. at Spittle.
